I will state at this time what I site from the livity of RASTAFARI as I have come to overstand.First it is important to clarify that I have never stated myself RASTA as this to myself would be inappropriate and and offence at this time as the movement has not fully manifested to the ones who rightfully can claim the title...The Black African wo/man...and until this is achieved I do not feel it fully or know it...I refuse to imitate that which I cannot authenticate...My introduction to RASTAFARI was extended through the front door by the divine union of marriage to the natural RASTAMAN from creation...We have been married for going up to 10 years...So by no means do I consider myself someone who has been around nearly as long as ones who choose to impart knowledge upon this forum..I have spent most of the last 10 years dividing our time between a white country and a Black country so I live somewhat double sided as I experience similar situations from different perspectives...
My experience with the term RASTA has always been as a greeting hailing other idren or a shortening of the term RASTAFARI...I have also seen ones from many mansions who also have been hailed RAS or RASTA still significant of RASTAFARI...MOST exposure I have had has been in the Caribbean where many of the books and documents other than the Bible are very rare including the Kebra,the Piby and the Book of the Dead...but this has not stopped the RASTA from rooting through the symbolism to find the ancient meanings hidden within...as many scholars will agree there is Ancient Knowledge within the text..RASTA has been given the wise mind to discern the truth from within..One has referred to nature as JAH and this I can agree with...what I cannot grasp though is what would lead one to think RAS TAFARI is not at one with nature as nothing could be further from the truth...not only in diet,bathing and hygenic rituals,respect for life and knowledge of the highest heights through visions and revelations..this is not something I have been told it is something I have witnessed...As far as the divinity of H.I.M. I will quote Dr Dennis Forsyhe from Healing of the Nations..."All universal truths must indeed manifest themselves in particular places and through particular individuals.They have to come down so to speak and take on flesh."...I have no problem with this and do not feel that in anyway it limits ones capacity to still explore the cosmos and attain higher heights...It is the level one chooses to reach..In closing I will part with the thought that has constantly been on my mind these days...If not for H.I.M. would any of the ones here and throughout the world been given the voice to express these many reasonings in the name and for the sake of RASTAFARI...or would the voice for equal rights and justice be nearly as loud and clear...These are the questions I will let ones decide for themselves as I know what I feel...kristine